All my elderly neighbours are out

[Toomuchtooyoung01]

So here I am, abiding by the guidelines and staying indoors which is already driving me crazy as I have a 7 week old and toddler.
Meanwhile every single one of my elderly neighbours are merrily swanning about their business as normal.
Am I being unfair to find it annoying that everyone's being told to stay indoors largely to help protect vulnerable people and they're not following the advice themselves?

My elderly neighbours are filling their calendars with all sorts of events. Mostly outdoors not in crowds. They are loving the supermarket opening up for them early - apparently it's full of their friends. They are are seeing more people they know than in an average week.

They told me today they've had a good innings and will reduce their social activity to not be in crowds (except at the supermarket) but said they aren't staying in for several months.

Most of my older neighbours (in a small market town full of Over 55s developments) are taking advantage of Oldies Opening Hours and walking in the outdoors as they usually would.

They have no symptoms, they are healthy and fit and fear being totally isolated so, regardless of what we might think as we watch them, they are making some pretty sensible choices, arranging small group meetings with other 'Oldies' and cracking on with it without endagering us younger models!

I agree OP, I live on a small cul-de-sac of 12 houses. There is 3 houses of the 12 where we have young families or children just leaving home. The rest of them have an average age of about 80 and have changed nothing, yet they all have families rallying round them bringing them shopping. One has just been discharged from hospital and is having carers come in approx 4 times a day (a different set each time) she has a well husband at home with her but they have had about 50 different sets of visitors in the last 3 days, literally. I understand people want to support but I think it's slightly irresponsible myself.

Why are you staying indoors? You don’t have to stay inside the house, no one has said you can’t go for a walk or the kids play outside..you will go insane.
I just went to the garden centre. Seems all the older people are there as they are planning to do gardening.

This is why there'll end up being a lock down (which will completely grind the economy). I've been out to our local farm shop to collect some veg and the restaurant attached to it was FULL of people I assume were over 70. I understand the "I've had a fair innings" thought but do they really want to die in conditions we've been seeing on the news, without their loved ones with them.

OP, I think you've misunderstood the social distancing guidlines. They are:

1. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
2. Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

You (or otherwise healthy elderly people) do not need to be stuck at home all day. We are supposed be limiting social contact right now, not cutting it out entirely. Take your kid to the park - just don't let him in close contact with others while you're out and about!

1. Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information
2. Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs
3. Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
4. Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Yes they are enjoying it until they get sick- all at the same time and the NHS will them come under criticism for not saving their lives!

I posted about this yesterday and my thread was removed by mumsnet for ageism. You literally can't offer social commentary on this issue it seems. YANBU

Everyone, unless they are self isolating for a reason, is allowed to go out at the moment. We'll all be told when we're not.

So the elderly should be social distancing and/or self isolating , but they're not (according to the OP)

I guess some elderly people don't care if there's isn't a hospital bed/ventilator for them?

But they are social distancng.. here anyway! Small groups for outdoor leisure, shoppong etc. All the things we have been told to carry on with!

If they aren't vulnerable because of existing conditions or showing signs of CORVID they aren't doing anything they've been asked not to!

Hopefully it'll make you feel better to hear that my DM and DF and Dmil and Dfil are all taking this very seriously and pretty much completely isolating themselves. DM and Df went to the supermarket this morning but stayed well away from others and wore surgical gloves (they bulk buy them as they have a couple of dogs with eye problems that require medication that mustn't be touched). Dmil and Dfil have Dbro (in law) bringing them food and the grandchildren they usually look after are no longer going to them.

I agree with you that too many people are NOT taking this seriously!!

They just aren't taking this seriously.

We have one of the lowest rates of ITU beds per capita.

ITU consultants in the UK are going to have to make decisions over who they treat and who they don't.

It is very likely that anyone over 80 will not be treated if there is a bed shortage.

Seems like many people are ignoring this in all age groups. Despicable and ignorant behaviour.

Everyone I know over 70 and some a bit below 70 are isolating, some have been for a couple of weeks. If relatives drop off supplies they just leave them outside. Actually, thinking about it I do know some people who are not isolating but in one case that is due to essential medical treatment, and they are really worried about going to it. In the other case the person is 95 and requires someone to carry shopping into the kitchen etc for her but everything else cancelled.

It's so selfish. If they end up taking away hospital resources from someone else who needs it.

I've never seen so many elderly people in groups. Outdoors, in shops, everywhere. Some of them making remarks such as "at this age I can do what I want". Meanwhile my livelihood as a freelancer is gone, my DH is working for home while I try to homeschool our children, all our hobbies have been cancelled and we don't see anyone. It does make you think.

FROM home. Duh.

I'm almost certain, but I could be wrong, that when Boris announced this on whatever day it was, he said it was to be the case for the over 70's from this weekend - plus others in vulnerable group and those in the super duper vulnerable group eg. Transplant recipients, Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy etc.

I suspect, the older but well cohort over 70, are having a last fling before they start.

Those of us with more sense, started long before Boris even thought about it.😉

Yep they can risk their own health and accept they might not get hospital treatment but they have no right to risk infecting others.

Yep I also think the advice for over 70's is from next week.
Saying that, they could try cutting down a bit sooner...

Of course they could @homemadecommunistrussia, but if everyone did what they should, we wouldn't need any "leaders".
Some folk aren't able to think for themselves.

Our elderly neighbour has told DH how she is absolutely fuming at being "imprisoned", the "idiots at Westminster have no right to keep people imprisoned" and she and her husband can't understand the need for it when they are both fit and healthy, and they will go on doing the things they always do. They are both in their 80s. I give up!

I got a load of stick pointing out on a Facebook post about how well the staff had done at the local supermarket with the "sheer number of people" this morning that actually ALL these people should NOT be there and should be socially isolating!!! That there should be fewer people in the shop not more!! I even had someone accuse me of believing "media hype" and when I pointed out that countries don't close down for "just a virus" and then someone else decided that the whole thing is a conspiracy to make the rich richer and the poor poorer! There are going to be many losers in this horrid situation and people are going to suffer both emotionally and financially but I can not see a conspiracy!!

I think some of them can’t see the wood for the trees, many are used to doing what they want, when they want. Unfortunately some have become inherently selfish, perhaps the government needs to stricter with their advice.

This makes me so cross. I'm in my 60s, DH is in his 70s and we're both only going out if we need to buy food. We're not seeing our DC and DGC and it's breaking my heart, but it's a price worth paying if it means this situation is over sooner.